Hounds' Gittings locks up 3rd straight win over Fairfield

FAIRFIELD – The Fort Madison Lady Hounds made it three in a row over Fairfield with the last win coming on the road Thursday night.
Alivia Holmes continued her hot hitting, collecting four hits – all singles, driving in three runs and scoring twice – as Fort Madison held on for a 10-8 win in Southeast Conference softball.
Freshman Emma Snaadt got the win going 2 2/3 innings giving up five runs, four earned on three hits, while walking five. Jordyn Marshall started and went 2 1/3 surrendering three runs, all earned on just one hit, while walking seven, and fanning one. Freshman Kenna Gittings came on in the sixth and held the Trojans hitless the rest of the way to preserve the win.
Fort Madison scored two runs each in the first and second inning for a 4-3 lead after two. They added a run in the top of the fourth and three in the top of the fifth. Elizabeth Tanner led off the fifth with a double before Taylor Johnson drew a walk. Kylie Lumino then singled to left scoring Tanner and Johnson for a 7-3 lead. Olivia Buckner then singled to right scoring Reilynn Turnbull for a five-run lead.
But the Trojans would respond in the bottom half with five runs of their own, all with two outs, to tie the game. Snaadt got a pop out and a ground out to start the bottom half, but then struck a batter, gave up three singles, and a walk to five consecutive batters, all of whom scored to tie the game up at 8.
Holmes singled to start the sixth, Elle Ruble drew a walk, and then Tanner singled to center, scoring Holmes and moving Ruble into scoring position. A strikeout and two popouts would end the threat.
Fort Madison would get an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Holmes singled scoring Lauryn Helmick who reached on a fielder’s choice.
Gittings would get a ground out to start the seventh and then give up a walk, but Tanner would double off a courtesy runner on a line drive to first to end the game.
The Bloodhounds are now 4-0 in the conference and 5-2 overall after starting the season 0-2. They’re off until Monday when they travel to Class 3A No. 9 Washington.